Comments for Kitchen Compost

Comment on Storing finished vermicompost/castings? by Andrew

Andrew — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 20:34:59 +0000

See if you can pick up a copy of the bookWorm Farm Management by Eric Wilson from your local library. There is a section on 'hibernating' worms for up to 6 months with no harm to the worms. I've lent my copy out to a friend so I don't have my copy on me otherwise I would summerize how to do it for you,
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Comment on Storing finished vermicompost/castings? by Lightning

Lightning — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 20:12:59 +0000

.Try placing in a container
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Comment on What are the prevailing trend of composting? by workerbee

workerbee — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 02:58:59 +0000

Here in Las Vegas, Nevada many homeowner associations will not allow compost bins, perhaps fears of fire from heating up or odor issues. So the trench method of composting works well for improving desert soil which is mostly clay and sand.

The trench method of composting is digging a trench about 12 inches into the soil, laying in your kitchen peelings, coffee grounds, tea bags, grass clippings and leaves and then just cover the hole back up. It will decompose in the ground without any smell and improve the soil. We have reduced the amount of waste going to the landfill, got some exercise and added humus to our garden area. Our garden is getting better all the time. Here are some pictures and if you want more info.
http://www.doweb4u.com/las_vegas_gardens.htm
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http://www.doweb4u.com/las_vegas_gardens.htm

Comment on What are the prevailing trend of composting? by Tony B

Tony B — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 02:50:59 +0000

Personally I think that using the newer style of rotating composting bins are the way to go. I usually get laxy with the regular compost bin style..you know to ol black ugly backyard compost bin..as I forget to rotate the contents..

With a spinning or rotating compost bin..as I work in the garden and walk by..I simply give it a whirl..and in the end I get faster compost for the garden
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http://www.squidoo.com/best-compost-bin

Comment on Desert Rose Care & Info? by Emmaean

Emmaean — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 02:50:59 +0000

They are native to the low veld of Africa. So they like dry winters and wet summers. I would water daily all summer and let them only have natural rainfall in winter. They will probably lose their leaves if you do this, and rest over winter. This plant cannot handle temperatures below freezing. As weather warms in the spring, the first full flush of flowers will often come before the leaves re-sprout. That is the most beautiful time of the year for Desert Rose. I am not sure what vermicompost is, but this plant in nature is not found in a very humus-rich environment, so I would not spend much money enriching the soil. Good drainage will be crucial, however.
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Comment on Desert Rose Care & Info? by Life Forms Etc.

Life Forms Etc. — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 02:45:59 +0000

I have found regular potting soil from garden centers works well. Do not over pot. The plant blooms better if somewhat root bound and it is less likely to be over watered as well. I have found my leaves turn yellow with both over and under watering. To large of a container will make it hard to do the right thing. They are a desert plant as the name implies, however I found they require more water than most cactus that I have. I treat mine like most of my succulents however this summer I had to water almost as frequent as I did with plumerias. More damage will result in over watering than under watering. To little water will result in very slow growth. Mine is still blooming and is about 3′ x 2′ x 3′ high. Spring will bring the most blooms. Most winters like plumeria desert rose shed most of their leaves. edit: They require a dormant period. It is unusual for mine to be blooming now. I speculate it was all the super bloom plant food I was feeding this summer. What ever mix you use be sure in drains well.
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hope this helps

Comment on What would be the best type of toilet to use for a moon base, composting toilet or incinerating toilet? by Nyx

Nyx — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:55:59 +0000

It is an important question. Whatever we ingest, has to be eliminated. And on the moon (as in space), its got to go somewhere. Composting would be best use of the available raw materials and energy. With microbes and other additives (left over food waste), you could make a garden fertilizer. You do need to be careful with sanitation, since you don't want to infect the base with who knows what. but its what we do already on this planet, just on a more intimate level.
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Comment on What would be the best type of toilet to use for a moon base, composting toilet or incinerating toilet? by Philip J

Philip J — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:19:59 +0000

Both composting and incinerating require oxygen; it takes a lot of energy to get oxygen from moon rocks. The best type of toilet would be the freeze-drying type. You should recover every drop of moisture for reuse and dump the rest in the nearest crater. After it piles up for a few years, you might have the capability of recycling precious minerals that would otherwise have to be brought from Earth.
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Comment on What kind of paper among other things can I use in composting? by Ishtar

Ishtar — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 00:04:59 +0000

You need to mix "browns" – high carbon sources like paper, hay, and dried leaves – with an adequate amount of "greens" – high nitrogen sources like grass clippings, food scraps, green leaves, and animal manures. Glossy magazine paper can be composted, but takes a while because of the kaolin coating which repels water. Your best bet with glossy paper or cardboard is to run it through a paper shredder to maximize edge space so water can soak in sideways. Or just send it away to be recycled. Paper has very little nutrient content, so it’s best to mix lots of other things in with it. The more variety you use in making your compost, the better. It’s not advisable to compost cat or dog poo, although you can compost small animal manures (rabbit, mouse, the papers from the birdcage, etc.). If you’re using sawdust, paper, corn or wheat litter, you can compost the used litter after the solids have been scooped out of it, but don’t try compost clay litter.
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Comment on What kind of paper among other things can I use in composting? by Tim

Tim — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 23:22:59 +0000

I recommend you recycle the newspaper and use any other paper product for the compost such as paper towels, paper egg cartons, kleenex, table napkins. That would be a more ecological use of materials. You can use almost any type of paper for the compost, but definitely stay away from magazines. Cat poop is really strong and wouldn't be very good in the compost. If you have a small dog, the amount that goes into the compost wouldn't be harmful.
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